In the Long Run

For the past two of weeks I’ve conducted fitness assessments for the new city employee wellness program. The city is offering attractive incentives, such as cash bonuses and paid days off, for employees who meet their goals in the program. There has been great interest in the new plan, which was implemented to improve employees’ health and morale, and thereby decrease absenteeism, illnesses, injuries and associated expenses.

As a fitness specialist, I help the employees set goals which are reasonable and attainable. As I talked to them, most of the employees shared their enthusiasm for the program and commented that they’d do almost anything to get their paid days off. A couple of them went so far as to suggest that they should “sandbag” the current tests in order to show improvement at the 6-month re-testing date, and earn the incentive. Only a few of my testees cared more about the healthful benefits of the program than they did the monetary rewards.

I guess I should not be surprised that most of these people were more concerned about money than they seemed to be concerned about their health. Money, pleasure, and comfort are big motivators. And that extends to more than just issues of health.

I ponder why we are sometimes motivated to do the right thing for the wrong reason. Or, if it’s not for the wrong reason, it’s for a less worthy reason than what could readily be labeled as the “right” reason. Shouldn’t we be motivated to do the right thing for the right reason? Are human frailties and character flaws to blame? Do we naturally gravitate toward selfishness and self-servedness? Have financial gain, leisure, and entertainment become the prime motivational influences of our society?

I’ll be the first to admit that I have done many things, and even good things, for the wrong reason. But I hope that as my understanding of life experiences and its nuances increases, so will my ability to live a life motivated by altruism, and tempered only by morally justifiable egoism.

Posted by Cyppy at 4:56 PM